| VISION At Elko Middle School, we are committed to soaring from good to great by cultivating a culture of educational excellence, innovation, and community engagement. Our vision is to empower ever student to reach their full potential—academically, socially, and personally. We will measure our success by: Sustaining full accreditation through rigorous academic achievement and continuous improvement. Expanding extracurricular opportunities that foster creativity, leadership, and collaboration. Building strong partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, staff and student learning and real-world MISSION Elko Middle School is committed to fostering a growth mindset by providing a high-quality education and data-driven instruction within a safe and inclusive environment. |
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THE THEME FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR: | MISSION imPOSSIBLE |
ACADEMICS | Eagles, We have officially made it through our second week of testing! Our students have been working incredibly hard, and we are so proud of their focus. As we move into the third week, please continue to encourage your students to give their very best effort—the results we’ve seen so far are very promising! Thank you for everything you do to support Elko Middle School. Let's keep this momentum going! Retakes & Remediation Starting in the third week of school, students who qualify will begin their assessment retakes. We believe in providing every student the opportunity to succeed, which is why: Data-Driven Support: Teachers are currently providing targeted remediation based on data from the first attempts. Targeted Drills: We are continuing to drill essential skills to ensure every student feels confident and ready for their second chance. Every Student Matters: Our goal is to ensure no one is left behind. Action Required: ParentSquare Forms If your student qualifies for a retake, you will receive a ParentSquare message containing a consent form. Please complete this form as soon as possible. Your quick response allows us to move forward with the necessary remediation and scheduling to ensure your student is prepared. Thank you for your continued partnership in your student's success! Go Eagles! |
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY & BEHAVIOR | We are currently seeing an increase in behavioral issues on our school buses. While we expect excellent behavior from our students at all times, conduct on the bus is a matter of extreme concern. Safety is Our Priority Our bus drivers must be able to concentrate fully on the road to transport students to and from school safely. When a driver has to divert their attention away from the road to address misbehavior, it creates a major safety risk for everyone on board. Our Expectations We ask that you please talk to your students about the importance of proper bus etiquette. Please keep the following in mind: Immediate Action: Administrators will address any reported misbehavior immediately. Loss of Privilege: Riding the bus is a privilege. Students who misbehave may lose the privilege of bus transportation. Parent Responsibility: If a student is suspended from the bus, the parent or guardian will become responsible for transporting the student to and from school. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe and our drivers focused on the road. |
SCHOOL LUNCH & DELIVERY POLICY |
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VIRGINIA STANDARDS OF LEARNING PROGRAM
| Once SOL testing begins, parents will receive information via Parent Square to access student test reports for all Spring 2026 SOL Non-Writing Tests in the Virginia Assessment Parent Portal, excluding the Integrated Reading and Writing component of the Grade 5 and 8 Reading test. Reports are posted around two weeks after testing. Families will have access to score reports for each test attempt, including expedited retakes. In addition to the Student Detail by Question report (SDBQ), a family-friendly Parent Report will be provided. Student details and claim code information must be entered in "Find Test Results" after each test to receive the most current information. Since families will have timely access to test results during the testing window, if school staff receive individual requests from parents to share scores, please direct families to the VDOE Parent Portal, or school administrators may provide. Click here to access the HCPS Parent Portal. GRADEBOOK SCORE COMMUNICATION Gradebook Score communication: 95% test grade for Pass Proficient (scores of 400–499) 100% test grade for Pass Advanced (scores of 500–600) Excused for test scores if below 400 EXPEDITED RETAKE POLICY If your student is eligible for a retake (scored between 375 and 399), a Google Form will be sent to you via ParentSquare that requires your consent. Please complete it if you receive it. Please use the button below to access the consent form. Click here to access Elko's Expedited SOL Retake Parent Consent Form |
SOL TESTING SCHEDULE 2026
| SOL testing will be wrapping up this week. Eagles, do your best to BUST THAT TEST—making the imPOSSIBLE possible! |
SCHOOL OPERATIONS ATTENDANCE UPDATES | If your student is absent, their absence needs to be reported within 48 hours. Absences can be reported by: Filling out the Elko Attendance Google Doc Emailing Mrs. Nolte: mlnolte@henrico.k12.va.us Sending a Parent Square message to Mrs. Nolte Sending a handwritten note with your student when they return to school Calling the school: 804-328-4110 ID Badges Please ensure that your students are wearing their ID badges every day. Students now need to scan their ID badges when they arrive to school late and when they have an early dismissal. Transportation/Bus Information If your student’s bus is running late in the morning, please call the Transportation Office at 804-261-9401. You can also download the Parent Portal Bus App to track the bus: https://www.henricoschools.us/page/parent-portal-bus-app Contacts/Pick-up Lists: Please make sure your student’s pick-up list is up to date by updating the Contacts listed in PowerSchool. You can do this by logging in to your Parent Portal account. Anyone coming to pick up a student for early dismissal MUST be listed in PowerSchool. If someone is not listed in PowerSchool, we will not be able to call the student down. EARLY DISMISSAL: The cut off time for early dismissals is 2:30 pm. REMINDER: |
JOIN OUR PTSA!
| Elko's PTSA is looking for a few dedicated executive/chair members. Contact our PTSA President, Nichole Washington for more information. |
ATTENTION PARENTS OF RISING 7TH GRADERS
| Parents of rising 7th graders All 7th grade students are required to have the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines before they are allowed to attend school. Please make sure you have provided the school clinic with proof of your student getting these vaccines before the start of school next year. If not, your student may be sent home the first day of school, You may call the clinic with any questions. |
TECHNOLOGY
| Laptop collections will start with 6th grade on May 21st. |
DEPARTMENT UPDATES CSOUNSELOR' CORNER
| Summer School Information Summer school registration is now open! Students may take up to two classes, each class costs $180. Our summer school will be hosted at Varina High School this year. Henrico provides transportation with pick-up hubs at the majority of the Elementary Schools, the bus does not come into the neighborhood to pick up your student. If you are not sure about your student needing summer school, please reach out to your grade level counselor. Registration Deadline: June 3 at 3:00 PM Sign-Up Link: https://bit.ly/3ZNxOmv If your student has a C or lower in a high school credit class - please with your student's counselor, the option to drop the grade so that it does not show on their High School transcript. Deadline: June 30 at 3:00 PM Sign-Up Link: https://bit.ly/ElkoCreditDrop Address Affidavit Renewal Reminder: Letters were mailed this week to all parents who currently have an address affidavit on file. Please note that address affidavits must be renewed annually. You may begin bringing in your required documents starting May 1, 2026. Documents will not be accepted prior to this date. The homeowner or leaseholder and the parent/legal guardian must both appear in person to complete the renewal process. To assist families, we will host two address affidavit turn‑in events to encourage timely submission of the required documentation. This information is included in your letter and attached along with this message. Please remember that all address affidavits are due no later than June 30, 2026. Failure to renew by this date may impact your student’s enrollment status. If you have any questions, please contact the school counseling office at 804-328-4111 for assistance. 7th Grade Immunization Reminder All rising 7th graders are required to have updated Tdap and Meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccines before the start of the school year. Please submit immunization records to the school as soon as possible. If your child does not have health insurance, they may be eligible for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. You can find a Vaccines for Children (VFC) provider at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/vvfc/locatevvfcprovider/. These providers can give free vaccines to persons who qualify and are not able to pay. If your child does not have a healthcare provider, you can contact your local health department at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/healthdepartment-locator/. The Counseling Team 6th Grade-Ms. Fish stfish@henrico.k12.va.us 7th Grade - Counselor Rawls glrawls@henrico.k12.va.us 8th Grade - Jennifer Bolding-jbolding@henrico.k12.va.us EL and last names A-B - Dr. Swingen: jkswingen@henrico.k12.va.us |
SPECIALITY CENTER INFORMATION | Click here to visit the HCPS Specialty Center website. |
EVENTS SCORE & SOAR SOL INCENTIVE
| Score & Soar Incentive Students who successfully pass their SOL tests will have the opportunity to earn exciting extras as part of our Score & Soar Incentive. This initiative celebrates hard work, growth, and academic achievement by rewarding students with special privileges and fun add‑ons once they meet their testing goals. |
8TH GRADE SOAR CEREMONY
| HIGHLAND SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL @ 6PM ONLY 4 TICKETS WILL BE GIVEN. LAP CHILDREN DO NOT NEED A TICKET |
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES/ ELKO/SANDSTON COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES | No opportunities at this time. |
VOLUNTEER PROCESS
| If you would like to become a volunteer, please click here to complete the online volunteer/mentor application via the link below. https://elko.henricoschools.us/o/hcps/page/volunteers |
UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS | May 25th: Schools Closed Memorial Day May 26th: SOAR Ceremony May 29th: Last Day of School |
ELKO ATHLETICS ELKO ATHLETICS DIRECTOR- Kendra Amis- kdamis@henrico.k12.va.us
| Elko Athletics Week at a Glance 5/11/26-5/15/26. |
RESOURCES SPOTLIGHT: ELKO & HCPS TOOLS FOR SUCCESS | |
ELKO ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM | Tyrus T. Lyles- Principal-ttlyles@henrico.k12.va.us Taleesa Meeks- Associate Principal- tjmeeks@henrico.k12.va.us Corey Calder- Associate Principal- ctcalder@henrico.k12.va.us Akeela Tyson- Assistant Principal- altyson@henrico.k12.va.us Brandon Hardy- Assistant Principal- bahardy@henrico.k12.va.us Jennifer Jenkins-Administrative Aide- jrjenkin@henrico.k12.va.us Torre Siler-Administrative Aide- tsiler@hennco.k12.va.us Abby Thomas- Administrative Aide- arthomas@henrico.k12.va.us Frenchie Travis- Administrative Aide- fmtravis@henrico.k12.va.us Jocelyn Woodson- Administrative Aide-jrwoodson1@henrico.k12.va.us |
The Nest News-31st Edition-May 11-15, 2026
May 10, 2026
